Venezuela: International rescue teams join search for survivors as earthquake deaths pass 1,400
The death toll continues to rise, while a preliminary estimate puts direct physical damage from the disaster at $6.7 billion.
At the request of the Venezuelan government, 44 international urban search and rescue teams known as USAR deployed 2,245 specialists and 140 search dogs to extract possible survivors from collapsed structures and provide initial medical care, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. reported on Saturday .
OCHA has activated its emergency response mechanisms and is supporting the arrival and coordination of teams in the country.
The rescuers come from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic; as well as from Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, the United States, France, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Serbia, Syria, Switzerland and Türkiye.
As of June 27, the authorities have confirmed this in any case 1,430 people died and another 3,238 were injured after the devastating twin earthquakes that hit the north of the country on June 24.
Damage equal to six percent of GDP
While rescue operations continue, a preliminary investigation satellite review by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that the earthquakes caused direct physical damage of about US$6.7 billion, equivalent to about six percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
The estimate, calculated using the Rapid Digital Analysis tool known as RAPIDA, puts losses at between $4.7 billion and $8.7 billion. This figure includes damage to homes and economic assets, but does not take into account damage to infrastructure, disruption of economic activity or long-term reconstruction costs.
The earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, shook northern Venezuela and were felt in the capital Caracas and in the states of La Guaira, Carabobo, Miranda, Yaracuy and Aragua.
According to UNDP approximately 8.6 million people were exposed to moderate to severe tremors, including approximately 2.1 million people who experienced the strongest tremors. The assessment also found that 1.7 million structures were located in the affected areas.
Possible power outages
Satellite data also indicates possible power outages in parts of Carabobo, La Guaira, Caracas and Aragua, after detecting a reduction in nighttime lighting due to the earthquakes.
“The speed and accuracy of initial assessments are essential for an effective response,” said Luis Francisco Thais, UNDP Resident Representative in Venezuela.
“Tools like RAPIDA help us make faster, evidence-based decisions to support affected communities,” he added.
The agency explained that it will continue to analyze higher resolution satellite images to support authorities in assessing casualties, displacement and recovery needs.
